After researching the 2011 xt line up im a little bummed i put that hub on my bike. It sounds like there have been better results with deore components. As for the straight gauge, i really have no excuse other than they came in blue an i thought it would look good with the red. This will be my commuter after the trip more than anything. That whole set up may be a downfall.
Hopefully on a better note everything else is in the mail. I made a spreadsheet on excel with the budget to date.

Part Description Price
Frame 1990's vintage used Trek 790 touring frame w/fork. 100mm front spacing. 135mm rear spacing. 1" threaded headset. BB 68mm?? Seat tube 27mm internal 31mm external $198
Saddle Brooks B17 Special $129
Wheels Velocity Dyad 700c w/ shimano xt hubs 331
Brake levers/shifter Shimano Deore with cables (no housing) 39
Crank w/bb Deore lx 22-32-44 170mm 89
Cassette Shimano Deore 9sp 34
grips Gravity lock on 16
Headset Interloc 1" threaded and sealed 65
Tires Continental touring plus 700c/37mm 68
Tubes Q tubes presta tubes 700c 35-43mm 14
Racks Rear Civia Hyland Steel 50
Rack Front
Panniers
Front Deraillieur Shimano Deore 35
Rear Deraillieur Shimano LX m581 49
Fenders sks p45 39
Chain shimano cn7701 9spd 32
Brakes (rear) Shimano Deore m590 22
Brakes (front) Shimano Deore 22


Total $1,232
*all shipping cost included.